Pipe-coupling.



L. F. HARRIS.

PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-8.1918.

. Patented Nov. 5, 1918,

mmto c LEWIS 1E. HHIS, 01E NEWARK, NEW JJESET'.

PIPE-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Nov... 5, 1919.

'Uontinuation of application Serial No. 45,179, filed August 12, 1915.This application filed March 3, 1918.

Serial No. 921.3%.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that T, LEWIS 1F. HARRIS, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Newark, in thecounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Pipe-Couplings, of which the following is aspecification.

This is a continuation-of my application for Letters Patent of theUnited States, No. 15,179, filed by me on the 12th day of August, 1915.

The invention relates primarily to coupling sleeves of that class whichare employed for connecting together the ad acent ends of a conduit oroutlet pipe sections of a dredge. These sections are usually supportedby pontoons or scows and the coupling sleeve is designed whereby thedesired degree of flexibility will be had throughout the entire pipeline, in order to permit the latter to accommodate itself to thevariations in height of the pontoons and freely respond to movements ofthe pontoons which are created by water disturbances.

The invention has for its objects the provision of a light, strong anddurable coupling sleeve which will quickly adapt itself to all angularmovements of the pipe line sections; one which will establish an air andwater tight connection between the pipe line sections, and one in whichthe sleeve will always be provided with a clear passageway for theunobstructed passage of hard objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling-sleeve whichwill consist of mating sections arranged and designed so as to minimizethe possibility of the sleeve clogging by a gravitational return ofmaterial in the pipe line when the pump is at rest and for furtherpreventing the material flrom entering between the sections of the seeve.

A still further object of the invention is to i provide a couplingsleeve which will consist of but few parts, certain of which being ofidentical formation and gaskets between the different sections of thestructure, the said identical parts also mating with the next adjacentsections of the coupling and with said gaskets so as to establishpacking glands wherebythe joints between the respective sections of thesleeve are flexible to varying adjustments to insure a perfect air andwater tight connection at all times.

In the drawing the view represents a vertical longitudinal sectionthrough my improved coupling sleeve.

The invention consists of an intermediate section 5, having a ballportion 6, at one side of its center and a socket portion 7, at theother side of the center. The latter is provided with an internalannular flange 8, which is arranged preferably at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the structure. The said flange is located at anappreciable distance within the extreme end of said socket portion 7 andat said extreme end said socket portion is rovided with an integralattaching and a justing flange 9.

Within the socket portion 7, is an end at taching section 10, whoseinternal diameter is the same throughout and at any point coextensivewith the internal diameter of the ball portion of said intermediatesection ,5. This attaching section is provided with a ball surface 11,which fits within the socket section 7, so as to project through theflange 8. Associated with the flange 9, is a flanged ring 12, having aprojecting portion 13, embraced by the inner walls of the portion 7.Tnterposed between the flange 8, and said projecting portion 13, is agasket 14. The said flange 9, and ring 12-, are adjustably connectedtogether by adjusting devices which are preferably in the form of bolts15, which are capable of adjustment whereby the portion 13, can beadvanced in the direction of the flange 8, to cause the packing gasketor material as the case may be to find proper contact with the ballsurface 11. The flange 8, and ring 12, combined with the packing gasketconstitute a gland whose walls are the only elements of the sections 5and 10, which find intimate contact with each other. This feature isdesired to be emphasized in order that friction between the sections ofthe sleeve will be reduced to a minimum. This reduction of frictionbetween the parts permits of a high degree of flexibility to be set uptherein.

The ball portion 6, of said intermediate section is fitted in a socket16, which is substantially identical in construction with the socketportion 7, of said section 5. The internal diameter of the portion 16,agrees exactly with the internal diameter of the portion 7, so that anadjusting ring 17, can be properly mated with said socket section 16,and correlated with an annular'internal flange 18, in said-section 16. Apacking gland 19, is arranged between the flange 1S, and projectingportion 20, of the ring 17. Adjusting bolts 21, pass through the flange22, and through the ring 17, in order that 5 the gasket 19, may beadjusted against the surface of the ball portion 6, to effect an air andwater tight joint at this point. The rings 12 and 17, are of identicalformation and each is provided with a curved internal surface whichconforms exactly with that ball portion of the structure with which itis associated. The sections 10 and 16, of the structure are eachprovided with an extension 23, adapted to be riveted or otherwisesuitably secured in some Well known manner to the sections of a pipeline. The extensions 23, are of uniform internal diameters, so as toagree with similar formations of the ball portions 6 and 11. In thismanner no appreciable spaces are formed between the respective sectionsof the coupling, and the possibility of material and heavy objectsclogging thesections 1s reduced to a minimum. The inner extremity of theball portion 11, of the section 10, projects on to the curved surface24, of the socket portion 7. The outer end of the ball portion 6,projects toward the surface 25, of the socket 16. The course of movementof material as it passes through the oupling is indicated by the arrowsin the drawing. Incident to the position of the ball portions to thesurfaces 2% andI25, of the socket portions, the material as it passesthrough the coupling will be deflected by "said surfaces 24 and 25, andthe finer materials held from clogging the spaces between the matingsections of said coupling.

What I claim is:

A coupling sleeve for the discharge pipe 4( line of dredging machinescomprising an intermediate section provided with a socket portion and aball portion, a ball section fitting in said socket portion, a socketsection fitting the ball portion of said intermediate section, theexternal diameter of the ball section being identical with that of theball portion of said intermediate section, the internal diameter of theball portion of the intermediate section being equal to the internaldiameter of said ball section, said internal diameters being cylindricalthroughout and of the same size as the pipe line and the end of the ballsection opening onto the next adjacent walls of the socket portion ofsaid intermediate section, and means for effecting a fluid tight jointbetween the respective sections.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

LEWIS F. HARRIS.

